Shelburne considers grant offer to Dr. Wouna Chaloner, town's only ER doctor

Shelburne's town council has passed four motions aimed at securing moneyto provide a grant to their onlyemergency room doctor, who is threatening to permanently leave Nova Scotia.

Dr. Wouna Chaloner usually staffs the overnight shift at the emergency department of theRoseway Hospital in Shelburne. When the ER is closed due to a nursing shortage, Chaloner is sent home without pay.

• Shelburne's Dr. Wouna Chaloner denied $15K bonus for ER work

She said she misses out on $40,000 per year.

Chaloner is currently in Manitoba working a separate contract for a few weeks, as she considers whether she will return to Nova Scotia.

The town of Shelburne passed four motions on Thursday night, each aimed at securing a financial incentive for Chaloner.The town's chief administrative officer, Dylan Heide, said the four motions are:

• Seek information on whether the town has authority to offer a grant.
• Ask the Roseway Hospital Charitable Foundation if they would provide a grant.
• Invitethe provincial Minister of Health and deputy minister to meet with council.
• Write a letter toChaloner thanking her for her efforts in the community.

The town hopes to have responses to most of the motions within the next week. The next council meeting is Wednesday night, and they're hoping to be able to decide whether they have the authorization and resources to offer an incentive.

Earlier this week, the Municipality of the District of Shelburne voted against providing a $15,000 incentive to the doctor.

Representatives from both councils noted their apprehension with offering funding for services that are usually the responsibility of the province.

The ERwasclosed on Friday and will reopen Saturdaybetween8 a.m. and 7 p.m.It was also be open Oct. 5 at 8 a.m.

A Nova Scotia Health Authority spokesperson saidany other closures in the immediate future won't be announced until physician availability is confirmed.